Astronomy

Bellatrix – Star Facts

- 15 February 2017

Bellatrix is about 20 million years-old and is thought to have six times the radius of the Sun and eight or nine solar masses. Bellatrix also has a bluish-hue and shines the 3rd brightest in its home constellation and 27th overall in the night sky. Bellatrix is also one of the four stars that are used in celestial navigation.

Chamaeleon – Constellation Facts

- 9 February 2017

Chamaeleon is a relatively small constellation in the second quadrant of the Southern hemisphere. It can be viewed specifically at latitudes between 0° and -90°. As its name suggests, this constellation is named after a lizard; the chameleon.

Barnard’s Star – Star Facts

- 8 February 2017

Barnard’s Star was named after the astronomer E.E. Barnard. This 7 to 12 billion year-old star may be one of the oldest ones in the Milky Way. It’s traveling closer to the Sun and will be nearest in the year of 11,800. Astronomer Peter van de Kamp reported it had up to three planets in its orbit, but this turned out to be wrong.

Cetus – Constellation Facts

- 2 February 2017

Alessio Govi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cetus is the sea monster in Greek mythology that had Andromeda left as a sacrifice for her mother’s vanity. It lies in the first quadrant of the Southern hemisphere and is located specifically between latitudes of +70° and -90°. Along with other constellations, Cetus was first catalogued in the 2nd century by, Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer.

Arcturus – Star Facts

- 1 February 2017

Arcturus is derived from the ancient Greek language meaning ‘guardian of the bear’, because of its proximity to Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Romans spoke of Arcturus as the narrator of the prologue, Rudens. Arab culture refers to this star as Al Simak al Ramih meaning ‘Leg of the Lance-bearer’, and in Chinese this star is called Ta-Kio or ‘the Great Horn’.

Cepheus – Constellation Facts

- 26 August 2016

Cepheus represents King Cepheus who was the husband of Cassiopeia and the father of Andromeda (who also have constellations). It lies in the fourth quadrant of the Northern hemisphere and is located specifically between latitudes of +90° and -10°. Along with other constellations, Cepheus was first catalogued in the 2nd century by, Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer.